Gas-filling apparatus and method



March 19, 1963 w. E. WILSON GAS-FILLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 12, 1960 FIG. 2.

FLUSH GAS EXH+AU5T FIG. I.

LoAmNe TIP-OFF a umoanme FIG. 3.

A.C. SUPPLY M E mw M E V 0 N v I H M a m A. 4 a a G M F N w b l l I. ll A D H a a W m m m o C C C Y C E N o O |l|||l|l||l|lw D M m x N m P o w E L 0 n O C w m |I|||l| O E m z m W N E F mmu mm mv .wv HMO M M Am amm av av sv answer Patented Mar. 19, 1963 Free 3,081,301 GAS-FELING APPARATUS AND METHOD William E. Wilson, Cedar Grove, N.J., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed 6st. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 62,114

6 Claims. (Cl. 1418) The present invention relates to the exhaust of fluorescent lamps or, similar gas-filled electrical devices and, more particularly, to an improved method of and apparatus for filling such fluorescent lamps and electrical devices with a final fill of an inert gas.

Heretofore, fluorescent lamps have been exhausted on apparatus of the type shown in US Patent No. 2,113,798 issued to D. Mullah on April 12, 1938. During the exhaust of the fluorescent lamps on such a conventional exhaust machine, a broken or leaking fluorescent lamp will cause atmospheric air to contaminate the movable gas-feeding means for a particular head, which movable gasfeeding means comprises the port in the movable portion of the exhaust valve and the sweep connecting such head and the port in the movable portion. If the deleterious air is not removed from this movable gasfeeding means for a particular head before such movable gas-feeding means arrives at the gas-filling station, the gas-filling system is contaminated by the deleterious air. As a result subsequent fluorescent lamps indexing into the gas-filling station are filled with contaminated fill gas and become defective lamps.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved method of and automatic apparatus for gasfilling fluorescent lamps, which method and apparatus prevent contamination of the gas-filling system and guarantee a pure gas fill for each exhausted fluorescent lamp.

The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing an improved method of gas filling exhausted fluorescent lamps at the gas-filling station of an exhaust machine, which method comprises the steps of closing oif the gas-fill line from the stationary gas-feeding means (which extends from the gas-fill line to the movable gas-feeding means), evacuatingthe stationary gas-feeding means until all deleterious gases are removed therefrom, and filling the clean stationary gas-feeding means and the lamp with the fill gas when the latter arrives at the gas-filling station.

The improved automatic gas-filling apparatus at the gas-filling station of the exhaust machine comprises a first valve means for closing offthe gas-fill line from the stationary gas-feeding means, a pumping means, and a second valve means operable to permit said pumping means to evacuate the stationary gas-feeding means until all deleterious gases are removed therefrom. Thereafter the first valve means is operable to admit the fill gas to the clean gas-feeding means and the lamp when the latter arrives at the gas-filling station.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan View of the stationary portion of an exhaust machine having incorporated therein the improved gas-filling apparatus of the present invention, and showing such gas-filling apparatus during the gas-filling step (time A- A-, FIG. 4) of the improved gasfilling method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the movable portion of such exhaust machine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the improved gas-filling apparatus, with the adjacent portions of the exhaust machine in vertical section.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing the sequential operation of the valve means of the improved gas-filling apparatus with respect to the indexing movement of the exhaust machine.

Although the improved method of and apparatus for gas filling at the gas-filling station of an exhaust machine is broadly applicable to the gas filling of all types of gasfilled lamps and similar gas-filled electrical devices, the improved method of and apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with an exhaust machine for exhausting fluorescent lamps and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawing, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, a stationary portion of an exhaust valve (of a conventional exhaust machine of the type shown in the above-mentioned US. Patent No. 2,113,798) is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20.

Although the remaining portions of the exhaust machine are not shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art from a consideration of FIG. 1, that fluorescent lamps (not shown) are loaded into heads (not shown) of the exhaust machine at stations 1 and 2. Thereafter, a fluorescent lamp is evacuated at stations 3- 14 through a movable exhaust means, such as an exhaust sweep 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and an upper exhaust port 24 in a movable portion 26 of the exhaust valve and also through a stationary exhaust means, such as lower exhaust ports 28 in the stationary portion 20. The lower exhaust ports 28 are connected by an exhaust manifold 39 to the exhausting system (not shown). During indexing movement of the movable portion 26 between stations 314, the head (not shown) is in communication with a movable gas-feeding means which comprises a gas sweep 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and an upper gas port 34 and a stationary gas-transporting means, such as a lower flushgas port 36 and a flush-gas manifold 38, connected to a fiush-gas' supply (not shown).

When a good fluorescent lamp (not shown, which is neither broken nor leaking) arrives at station 15, the gas-filling station, the previous alternate flushing and evacuating of the good fluorescent lamp at the preceding stations,- as above mentioned, has prepared such good lamp for the gas-filling operation by removing all deleterious gases from the lamp and the associated head (not shown), gas sweep 32 and upper gas port 34.

If, on the other hand, however, a fluorescent lamp (not shown) is either broken or is a leaker, such defective lamp, associated head (not shown), gas sweep 32, and the upper gas port 34, will be filled with deleterious atmospheric air, which atmospheric air normally would contaminate the conventional gas-filling apparatus (not shown) of the exhaust machine, when the head and the lamp index into station 15, the gas-filling station (FIG. 1). This'results in subsequent good fluorescent lamps indexing thereafter into station 15 being filled by the contaminated gas'fill and likewise becoming defective lamps.

In order to prevent contamination and to guarantee a pure gas fill for each exhausted lamp indexing into station 15, the improved gas-filling apparatus of the present invention (FIGS; 1 and 3) is employed at station 15.

As indicated in FIG. 4, before a head of the exhaust machine carrying the lamp, begins its index into station 15, the gas-filling station, a valve means, such as a solenoid operated gas-release valve V (disposed in a gas-fill line 41), FIG. 1) is closed. During this index another valve means, such as a solenoid-operated gasfill valve V and an exhaust valve means, such as a solenoid-operated exhaust valve V disposed in an exhaust line 42 which is connected to a suitable pump, (not shown) are opened. This exhaust line 42 and gas-fill line 40 are connected (at station 15) by a T 43 (FIG;

3) to a stationary gas-feeding means, which comprises a gas-fill sweep 44 and a lower gas-fill port 45.

In order to cause opening of the exhaust valve V one end of the coil of an associated solenoid S is connected by a conductor 46 (FIG. 1) to one side of a suitable voltage supply (indicated by the legend A.C. supply) and the other end of such coil is joined by a line 47 through a cam-operated switch 48 to the other side of the voltage supply. The coil of a solenoid S for the gas-fill valve V is connected in electrical parallel with the conductors 46 and 47. Closure of the switch 48 by a cam 50 on a cam shaft 52 thus energizes the solenoids S and S and opens the valves V and V respectively.

Evacuating Operation Opening of the exhaust valve V during the index of the exhaust machine permits the pump (not shown) to evacuate substantially all residual deleterious gases which may have been introduced into the lower gas-fill port 4'5, gas-fill sweep 44 and portions of the gas-fill line 40 and exhaust line 42 (between the T 43 and the valves V and V respectively) by a defective leaker fluorescent lamp, which is now indexing out of station 15, the gas fill station. The exhaust pump (not shown) may be of the type shown in US. Patent No. 1,393,550 issued October 11, 192.1 to I. Langmuir. Such evacuating operation is terminated (FIG. 4) by closure of the exhaust valve V through operation of switch 48 by the cam 50, before the indexing movement of the exhaust machine from one station to the other has been completed. As a result when the exhaust-machine index is completed and a good fluorescent lamp reaches station 15, the completely flushed and evacuated good lamp, gas sweep 32 and upper gas port 34 are exposed to a clean lower gas-fill port 45, gas-fill sweep 44, exhaust line 42 and the portion of gas-fill line 40 between the T 43 and the gas-release valve V Gas-Charging Operation While the gas-release valve V is closed and during the above-described evacuating operation, an inert gas, such as argon, flows at a predetermined pressure through the now open gas-fill valve V into a portion 40 of the gas-fill line 40. This portion 40 disposed between the valves V and V has a predetermined volume, thus enabling an argon charge of predetermined pressure and volume to be trapped in the portion 40 upon closure of the gas-fill valve V at a time (FIG. 4) before the indexing of the exhaust machine is completed.

This gas-release valve V is closed (FIG. 4) by deenergization of a solenoid S having its coil disposed in a circuit (indicated by the heavy solid-lines in FIG. 1) containing a cam-operated switch 54. This switch 54 is opened by a cam 56 on the cam shaft 52 at the abovedescribed time (FIG. 4) with attendant deenergization of the solenoid S and resultant closure of the gas-release valve V The switches 48 and 54 and cams 50 and 56 constitute control means for operating valves V V and V in proper time relation to the movement of the head.

Gas-Filling Operation After the head and lamp as herein above mentioned have been indexed into station 15, the gas-filling station, the gas-release valve V is opened (FIG. 4) to permit the predetermined argon charge to expand and pass (in the direction of the arrows, FIGS. 1 and 3) through the portion of the now evacuated gas-fill line 40 beyond the valve V gas-fill sweep 44, gas-fill port 45, upper gas port 34 and gas sweep 32 to the lamp. As mentioned 3 above, the gas-release valve V remains open until the time indicated in FIG. 4, which terminates just shortly before the next exhaust machine index begins. At station 16 the gas-fill lamp (not shown) is tipped-off and unloaded from the exhaust machine.

Alternatively, the above-described improved gas-filling method of the present invention can also be practiced by hand. In addition, the cams 50 and 56 may be modified so that the evacuation of the gas-feeding means (i.e. gas fill sweep 44, gas-fill port 45 etc.) continues after the head and lamp index into station 15 to permit evacuation of the upper gas port 34, gas sweep 32 and the lamp as well.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the object of the present invention has been achieved by the provision of an improved gas-filling method and apparatus, which method and apparatus guarantee a pure gas-fill for each exhausted fluorescent lamp or gas-filled electrical device and also prevent contamination of the gas-filling system.

While in accordance with the patent statutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. The method of gas filling an exhausted fluorescent lamp carried by a head movable into a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine, said exhaust machine being provided at said gas-filling station with a stationary gas-fill line communicating with a stationary gas-feeding means, said method comprising the steps of closing off said stationary gas-fill line from said stationary gas-feeding means, filling a portion of said stationary gas-fill line having a predetermined volume with a gas charge at a predetermined pressure, evacuating said stationary gasfeeding means until any residual gases are substantially removed therefrom, disposing said lamp in communication with said stationary evacuated gas-feeding means, and releasing said gas charge into said stationary gasfeeding means and said lamp to provide the latter with a final gas fill.

2. The method of gas filling an exhausted fluorescent lamp carried by a head movable into a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine, said exhaust machine being provided at said gas-filling station with a stationary gas-fill line communicating with a stationary gas-feeding means, said method comprising the steps of closing off said stationary gas-fill line from said stationary gas-feeding means, filling a portion of said stationary gas-fill line having a predetermined volume with a gas charge at a predetermined pressure, evacuating said stationary gasfeeding means while said lamp is being moved into said gas-filling station until any residual gases are substantially removed therefrom, disposing said lamp in communication with the evacuated stationary gas-feeding means, and releasing said gas charge into said stationary gas-feeding means and said lamp to provide the latter with a final gas fill.

3. The method of gas filling an exhausted fluorescent lamp carried by a head movable into a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine, said exhaust machine being provided at said gas-filling station with a stationary gas-fill line communicating with a stationary gas-feeding means, said method comprising the steps of closing off said stationary gas-fill line from said stationary gas-feeding means, filling a portion of said stationary gas-fill line having a predetermined volume with a gas charge at a predetermined pressure, evacuating said stationary gasfeeding means, disposing said lamp in communication with said stationary gas-feeding means, evacuating said stationary gas-feeding means and said lamp until any residual gases are substantially removed therefrom, and releasing said gas charge into said stationary gas-feeding means and said lamp to provide the latter with a final gas-fill.

4. Gas-filling apparatus for a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine having a head for supporting a fluorescent lamp which is to be gas filled, said head being provided with a first gas-feeding means for feeding gas to said lamp and being movable into said gas-filling station, said apparatus comprising a stationary gas-fill line, a stationary second gas-feeding means connected to said stationary gas-fill line and in communication with said first gas-feeding means when said head is at said gasfilling station, pumping means connected to said stationary second gas-feeding means, a first valve mean in said stationary gas-fill line for closing off said stationary gas-fill line, a second valve means in said stationary second gasfeeding means for permitting said pumping means to remove any residual gases from said stationary second gasfeeding means, said second valve means being operable to close ofi said stationary gas-feeding line from said pumping means after a predetermined time, thereafter said first valve means being operable to release a predetermined charge of gas into said stationary second gasfeeding means and first gas-feeding means and said lamp, and control means for operating said first valve means and said second valve means in proper time relation to the movement of said head.

5. Gas-filling apparatus for a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine having a head for supporting a fluores cent. lamp which is to be gas filled, said head being provided with a first gas-feeding means for feeding gas to said lamp and being movable into said gas-filling station, said apparatus comprising a stationary gas-fill line, a stationary second gas-feeding means connected to said stationary gas-fill line and in communication with said first gas-feeding means when said head is at said gas-filling station, pumping means connected to said stationary second gas-feeding means, a first valve means in said stationary gas-fi1l line for closing off said stationary gas-fill line, a second valve means in said stationary gas-fill line for trapping a predetermined charge of gas between said first valve means and said second valve means, a third valve means in said stationary second gas-feeding means for permitting said pumping means to remove any residual gases from said stationary second gas-feeding means, said third valve means being operable to close otf said pumping means from said stationary second gas-feeding means after a predetermined time, thereafter said second valve means being operable to release said predetermined charge of gas into said stationary second gas-feeding means and first gas-feeding means and said lamp, and control means for operating said first valve means, said second valve means and said third valve means in proper time relation to the movement of said head.

6. Gas-filling apparatus for a gas-filling station of an exhaust machine having a head for supporting a fluorescent lamp which is to be gas filled, said. head being provided with a first gas-feeding means for feeding gas to said lamp and being movable into said gas-filling station, said apparatus comprising a stationary gas-fill line, a stationary second gas-feeding means connected to said stationary gas-fill line and in communication with said first gas-feeding means when said head is at said gas-filling station, pumping means connected to said stationary second gas-feeding means, a first solenoid-operated valve means in said stationary gas-fill line for closing off said stationary gas-fill line, a second solenoid-operated valve means in said stationary gas-fill line for trapping a predetermined charge of gas between said first valve means and said second valve means, a third solenoid-operated valve means in said stationary second gas-feeding means for permitting said pumping means to remove any deleterious gases from said stationary second gas-feeding means, said third valve means being operable to close off said pumping means after a predetermined time, thereafter said second valve means being operable to release said predetermined charge of gas into said stationary second gas-feeding means and first gas-feeding means and said lamp, and control means for operating said first valve means, said second valve means and said third valve means in proper time relation to the movement of said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,162,209 Trutner June 13, 1939 2,334,718 Lowry et al. Nov. 23, 1943 2,542,636 De Groat Feb. 20, 1951 2,565,298 De Groat Aug. 21, 1951 2,805,689 De Groat Sept. 10, 1957 2,808,857 Yoder Oct. 8, 1957 

1. THE METHOD OF GAS FILLING AN EXHAUSTED FLUORESCENT LAMP CARRIED BY A HEAD MOVABLE INTO A GAS-FILLING STATION OF AN EXHAUST MACHINE, SAID EXHAUST MACHINE BEING PROVIDED AT SAID GAS-FILLING STATION WITH A STATIONARY GAS-FILL LINE COMMUNICATING WITH A STATIONARY GAS-FEEDING MEANS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CLOSING OFF SAID STATIONARY GAS-FILL LINE FROM SAID STATIONARY GAS-FEEDING MEANS, FILLING A PORTION OF SAID STATIONARY GAS-FILL LINE HAVING A PREDETERMINED VOLUME WITH A GAS CHARGE AT A PREDETERMINED PRESSURE, EVACUATING SAID STATIONARY GASFEEDIGN MEANS UNTIL ANY RESIDUAL GASES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY REMOVED THEREFROM, DISPOSING SAID LAMP IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID STATIONARY EVACUATED GAS-FEEDING MEANS, AND RELEASING SAID GAS CHARGE INTO SAID STATIONARY GASFEEDING MEANS AND SAID LAMP TO PROVIDE THE LATTER WITH A FINAL GAS FILL. 